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Providence council amends code to allow temporary parking on city parcels during snow bans
Summary
The Providence City Council approved on second reading an ordinance that codifies pilot programs allowing residents to park on city-owned parcels during winter parking bans, amended to require Department of Public Works designation of spaces in collaboration with the council.
The Providence City Council on April 17 approved, on its second reading, an ordinance that permits temporary parking on city-owned parcels during winter storm parking bans, adding a requirement that the Department of Public Works designate specific areas in collaboration with council members.
Council members said the change codifies pilots the city has already used during severe winter storms and is aimed at easing a recurring burden on renters who lack off-street parking. Councilwoman Ryan offered a friendly amendment to section 23-171 to require that the director of the Department of Public Works designate temporary parking areas “in collaboration with the council.” The city solicitor confirmed the amendment could be voted on the same evening.
Supporters said the ordinance is a modest step to reduce the costs and logistical strain of winter parking bans for residents who must otherwise use private garages or other paid options. The council approved the amendment by voice vote and then passed items 5–10, which included the amended ordinance, by roll call with 15 ayes; the clerk announced the motion carried.
Council members who voted affirmatively during the roll call included Council President Miller; Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois; Councilwoman Anthony; Majority Leader Pedro Espinal; Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzales; Councilwoman Graves; Deputy Majority Leader Harris; Councilwoman Peterson; Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo; Councilor Royas; Councilwoman Ryan; Majority Whip Sanchez; Councilman Taylor; Councilwoman Anna Vargas; and Councilman Oscar Vargas. No oppose votes or abstentions were recorded on the roll call announced in the chamber.
The ordinance amends the city code to allow temporary parking on specified city-owned parcels during declared parking bans and delegates authority to the Department of Public Works to identify and mark those areas, subject to the council collaboration added by amendment. The council did not specify an implementation timeline in the meeting; follow-up actions and signage were referenced as matters for the Department of Public Works and council members to coordinate.
The ordinance was placed on the council calendar as part of a grouped roll-call approval of multiple items; the clerk recorded the second-reading passage with the amendment.
